What Is The West Of Ireland To Us

Space image of the island of Ireland from the space station, with blue plankton bloom off the west coast of Ireland. Source: European Space Agency

If you’ve been on this site for a while, you know that we love the West of Ireland. When we say that, what we mean is the west coast, what is now also known as the Wild Atlantic Way. This would be the counties that border on the ocean, all the way from Donegal down … Read more

Mayo’s Romantic Clare Island And Its Most Famous Daughter

O'Malley Castle on Clare Island, view from the sea

The only islands we have so far visited off the west coast of Ireland are Aran Islands (multiple times) and Inisbofin, all in County Galway. And recently we spent a couple of blissful hours on Clare Island, County Mayo, on our cycle of the Clew Bay Bike Trail. Isn’t There Something Very Romantic About Islands? … Read more

The Full 105kms Of The Stunning Clew Bay Bike Trail

clew bay bike trail on a sunny day, blue sky, fields on either side of the road with wooden fencing.

If you’ve read some of our previous posts, you know that we love county Mayo. From Belmullet to Cong to Ballina, we just cannot get enough of the spectacular landscape, impressive mountain views and the Wild Atlantic Way coastline. Since the opening of the Clew Bay Bike Trail, we have been waiting for nice weather … Read more

Hidden Mayo Museums That Deliver Big On History. Pt2 – The Jackie Clarke Collection

Close up of irish proclamation of indepndence

Last week we wrote a little about Michael Davitt’s life and the museum dedicated to him in Straide. Today we continue the theme of County Mayo Museums with history focus. Our second serving of a hidden gem that we believe is worth your time is the Jackie Clarke Collection in Ballina. Part 2: Top Private … Read more

Hidden Mayo Museums That Deliver Big On History. Pt1 – Michael Davitt Museum

As a lot of Ireland’s West Coast, County Mayo is very much the Ireland of your dreams. It has all the breath-taking scenery and panoramic coastlines you had ever imagined.  Wherever you go, from Cong to Ballina to Belmullet, you’ll appreciate the glorious landscapes. And also rich heritage, culture and a plethora of off-the-beaten-track gems. … Read more

How To Spend The Best Weekend In Cong Ireland

weekend in Cong and Lough Corrib - photo of two small boats on shore with river Cong behind them, forest on both sides

Sometimes your itinerary only allows a few days or a weekend to be a tourist on Ireland’s West Coast. In that case, you could do worse than making the quaint village of Cong your destination. On the border between counties Galway and Mayo, it is picturesque on a grand scale and we love it. You … Read more

The Best Time To Visit Ballina With Kids, Guaranteed

row of plastic cups filled with marshmallows and strawberries ready to have chocolate poured over at an outdoor stall for best time to visit ballina festival in July

The lovely County Mayo town will be the centre of attention for the next few weeks, with President Joe Biden’s visit announced recently. So it looks like the best time to visit Ballina will be next week, if you can still make it. Do not confuse this Ballina in County Mayo with the equally picturesque … Read more

Weekend In Belmullet: The Best Things Really Are Free

View of Belderra Strand on Mullet Peninsula, yellow sand, blue sea and white clouds

Recently we were back visiting the beautiful North Mayo. We only had a small budget for our few days away, but had a brilliant time nevertheless. Unlike other tourist hot spots on Ireland’s West Coast, most of the unspoilt Mullet peninsula does not vacuum visitors’ money straight out of their pockets. There are plenty of … Read more

Erris Head Loop Walk – Easy Three Miles That Will Make You Want To Live Here

Erris Head Loop Walk view across the sea to broad haven stags rocks

As we have written previously, we love County Mayo. The Erris Head Loop Walk is easily one of our favourite hikes in the area. Not only because it is a relatively easy three miles (five kms) but mainly for the incredible views. Erris Head, or Ceann Iorrais in Irish, is the northernmost tip of the … Read more

Top Five Beaches of Achill Island In One Day

Achill island beach with a cyclist silhouette, sea and mountain in background

Achill Island area is cca 150 square kms (57 square miles),which makes it the country’s largest island. Its biggest town is Achill Sound, straight after the swing bridge connecting it to the mainland since 1887. The current bridge dates to 2008 but, interestingly, the swing is still manual to allow boats pass when necessary. We … Read more